Everton go in search of their first home win against Wigan this weekend who have won only once at Goodison Park in the last six seasons.
Toffee’s boss David Moyes has overseen a steady start to the season in the blue half of Merseyside with a win, draw and defeat leaving them with four points from three games. They put in a magnificent performance last week at home to Aston Villa but couldn’t hold on to take maximum points. The loss of Mikel Arteta hasn’t been felt to full effect just yet although if Leon Osman can produce the type of showing he did against Villa last week the Spaniard will soon become a distant memory. Worries still persist with goalscoring though after the sale of Jermaine Beckford, James Vaughan and Yakubu left Moyes short of options up front with unknown Argentinian Denis Stracqualursi brought in to replace them.
Wigan have surprised many with their strong beginning to the new campaign. Last week’s 3-0 thumping at Manchester City was their first defeat in seven games for Roberto Martinez’s men stretching back to last season and they will fancy their chances of ending their barren streak at Goodison Park. They’ve sampled victory only once on their Mersey travels but will be confident of bringing a halt to that run on Saturday. With Everton having conceded three goals at home already all eyes will be on Latics striker Hugo Rodallega who will fancy his chances of bagging against the Toffees and becoming the first player to score 10 away goals for the club in the Premier League.
Loan signing Royston Drenthe is pushing for a start after scoring for the reserves on Tuesday night whilst Johnny Heitinga should feature despite missing the Villa game with a calf injury.
Wigan could be without long serving defender Emmerson Boyce who is struggling with a hamstring strain. Steven Gohouri and Antonio Alcaraz are definitely missing though. New signings Shaun Maloney, David Jones and Patrick van Aanholt are all in contention for the league debuts.
Key Players
Leon Osman: Osman has constantly been tagged as the most underrated midfielder in the top flight and now has the chance to step out from Arteta’s shadow. Was magnificent against Villa last week and his creativity will be key to the Toffee’s chances on Saturday.
Hugo Rodallega: The Colombian can set a new away goalscoring record if he hits the net this weekend. His energy and endeavor up front make Wigan tick and they’ll be looking to him to pressurise the Everton defence.
Prediction: 2-2
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